Solar Cooking System

ABSTRACT

An easily transportable solar cooking system that is capable of effectively utilizing available sunlight in locations having obstructed views of the sky. A plurality of support members upon which one or more reflective elements may be mounted, may be independently placed adjacent to an object to be heated. A user may manually adjust the angle of each reflective element, a concave mirror in the preferred embodiment, with respect to the support member so as to reflect a focused beam of light onto the object to be heated. The reflective elements may be mounted via a separable ball and socket joint such that the reflective elements and support members may be disassembled and compactly stored for easy storage and transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system for heating objectsand, particularly, to an easily transportable solar cooking systemhaving a plurality of reflective elements that may be individuallyplaced adjacent to an object to be heated and manually adjusted so as toreflect focused rays of sunlight onto the object.

2. Description of the Related Art

Solar cooking systems are well known in the prior art. It is oftendesirable to utilize solar cooking systems by persons who cannot or whoprefer not to utilize cooking systems powered by electricity, fossilfuels, or other energy sources. By harnessing the sun's rays, solarcooking systems allow for an inexpensive and nonpolluting means forcooking and heating substances such as food or liquids.

The prior art is replete with various solar cooking systemconfigurations. Many such prior art solar cooking systems are configuredto utilize reflectors having a parabolic or spherical dish form thatreflect sunlight to a focal point located on, or directly adjacent to, acooking container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,229 to Tarcici (the“Tarcici '229 patent”) discloses a solar cooker having a parabolicreflector. The Tarcici '229 patent teaches that a support rod may beconnected to the reflector such that the support rod extends outwardalong the reflector's principal axis to support a cooking containerlocated adjacent to the reflector's focal point and thus, allowing for afocused reflection of light onto the cooking container.

Rather than using a single reflective structure, other solar cookingsystems found in the prior art teach the use of a plurality of mirrorsthat are all affixed to a structure such as a frame. The mirrors of somesuch prior art systems have been pivotally attached to the frameallowing the user of the system to independently position the angle ofeach mirror. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 681,095 to Baker (the “Baker'095 patent”) teaches the use of a plurality of mirrors pivotallymounted on a standard. The angle of the mirrors of the Baker '095 patentmay be adjusted to optimally direct light on a cooking oven.

Given that sunlight is required to utilize any solar cooking system,most solar cooking systems are used in locations having unobstructedviews of the sky such as locations with few trees or other obstructionsthat would block the sun's rays. However, in some locations such asforests, it is difficult or impossible to locate areas that allow forunobstructed views of the sky. In such locations, it may not be possibleto adequately utilize the solar cooking systems found in the prior artas the amount of light that is reflected off of the system's reflectivesurface or surfaces may not provide sufficient heat with which to cook.

For example, in a forest where only a small amount of the sun's rayspenetrate the forest's canopy, a parabolic reflector or array of mirrorson a frame, may be placed under the canopy and yet only reflect aninsufficient amount of light onto a cooking vessel. As will berecognized by those with ordinary skill in the art, the size of thereflectors or mirror arrays of prior art solar cooking systems would berequired to be impractically large to reflect an adequate amount oflight onto an object for cooking purposes. Therefore, a need exists fora solar cooking system that is capable of efficiently utilizingavailable sunlight in locations having obstructed views of the sky.

Solar cooking systems are also often used by persons who must transportthe system to the location where it will be used. For example, personson camping trips often transport a solar cooking system to a campsitefor use. The difficulty with which the prior art solar cooking systemsmay be transported is a significant drawback for persons who musttransport a system before and/or after its use. It is difficult orimpractical to transport large nodular reflective structures or mirrorarrays, particularly by persons who must transport the systems withoutthe use of motorized vehicles such as is often the case for those whocamp long distances from roads or who do not own a motorized vehicle.Therefore, a need exists for a solar cooking system that is easilytransportable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is provided herein, an easily transportable solarcooking system that, in its preferred embodiments, is capable ofeffectively utilizing available sunlight in locations having obstructedviews of the sky.

In one aspect of the invention, a solar cooking system having aplurality of reflective elements, such as mirrors, may be placedadjacent to an object to be heated for the purposes of reflectingsunlight onto the object. Each reflective element is attached to andsupported by a support member, such as rod, that may be placed at anylocation adjacent to the object to be heated by inserting one end of thesupport member into the soil. A user may independently place eachsupport member and attached reflective element in any place wheresunlight is not obstructed and can be adequately directed to the objectto be heated.

In another aspect of the invention, each reflective element is pivotallyattached to the support member in any manner that will permit the angleof the principal axis of the reflective element to be adjusted withrespect to the support member. The reflective element may be adjusted bythe user to sufficiently direct the light from the sun onto the objectthat is to be heated.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the reflective elements areconcave mirrors having different focal lengths. Depending on thedistance between the position of the object to be heated and theposition at which sunlight penetrates to the level of the reflectiveelement, a particular reflective element to be utilized in cooking anobject may be chosen with respect to the focal length of the reflectiveelement. For example, if the invention is being utilized to heat anobject under a forest canopy and sunlight penetrates approximatelythirty centimeters from the object to be heated, a reflective elementhaving an approximate focal length of thirty centimeters may be chosenfrom a plurality of reflective elements having different focal lengths,and placed approximately thirty centimeters from the object. The angleof the reflective element may then be further adjusted by the user toobtain an optimum reflection of sunlight onto the object to be heated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the solar cooking system of the presentinvention nay be had by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a solar cookingsystem of the present invention having a plurality of reflectiveelements attached to and supported by support members that may beindependently positioned by a user adjacent to an object that is to beheated;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the solar cookingsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the support member and a removably attachedreflective element of the preferred embodiment of the present inventionas shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the support memberand connected reflective element of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention having a base structure upon which a plurality of supportmembers and attached reflective elements are supported.

Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,”“bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,”“length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms areused herein, it should be understood that these terms have referenceonly to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only tofacilitate describing the invention.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings ofthe present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respectto number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to formthe preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skillof the art after the following teachings of the present invention havebeen read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific magnification, weight, length, andsimilar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art afterthe following teachings of the present invention have been read andunderstood.

Preferred embodiments of the solar cooking system according to thepresent invention will now be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a preferred embodiment of the solarcooking system 100 of the present invention, a plurality of reflectiveelements 102 are each attached to a support member 104. The supportmembers 104 are each partially insertable into and supported by the soil105 surrounding an object to be heated. The reflective elements 102,which include concave mirrors in the preferred embodiment, reflect andfocus sunlight 110 onto an object such as a cooking vessel 106 supportedby a means for supporting the object to be heated, such as a tripod 108or cooking stand. It is important to note that the present invention iscapable of heating any object or substance, whether in solid, liquid, orgas form.

Although FIG. 1 shows the presence of five reflective elements 102 forillustrative purposes, it is contemplated that any number of reflectiveelements 102 may be utilized to heat an object. Many variables should beconsidered in choosing the number of reflective elements 102 to beutilized. The amount of sunlight 110 available to be reflected may limitthe number of reflective elements 102 to be utilized if only a smallamount of the sun's rays 110 penetrate to the ground level where thepresent invention is to be used. Additionally, the mass and type ofobject to be heated must be considered when choosing how many reflectiveelements 102 to utilize. For example, the thermal conductivity of acooking vessel 106 and the amount of food to be cooked will both enterinto the user's determination of how many reflective elements toutilize. Additionally, the precision to which the user can position eachreflective element to produce a focused beam of light directed on theobject to be heated will affect the number of reflective elements 102that must be utilized.

An embodiment of the present invention having forty-four reflectiveelements was implemented in accordance with the teachings herein. Amaximum temperature reading of six-hundred and twenty five degreesFahrenheit (625° F.) was indicated by a temperature sensor duringtesting of the embodiment of the system.

As there are too many unknown variables that will be involved incalculating how many reflective elements 102 must be utilized, the userof the present invention should determine the number of reflectiveelements 102 to utilize by trial and error, that is, by continuouslyadding and positioning reflective elements 102 until a sufficient amountof heat is generated. In this manner, the user is able to determine thehow many reflective elements 102 must be utilized for a particularlocation, type and size of food, and type of cooking vessel. The solarcooking system is capable of grilling, frying, baking, and steamingfood, and heating liquids.

When using the present invention in locations that do not provideunobstructed views of the sky, the support members 104 and attachedreflective elements 102 can be independently placed in positionsadjacent to the object to be heated, where the sun's rays 110 penetratethrough to ground level. For example, when an embodiment of the presentinvention is used to cook food under a forest canopy 112, the sun's rays110 may penetrate the leaves of the trees 112 in a limited number ofplaces. A user can place reflective elements 102 at those places wherethe sunlight 110 penetrates, thus maximizing the amount of heat that canbe directed to the cooking vessel 106. The foregoing attribute of thepresent invention provides an advantage over prior art solar cookershaving reflective dishes and mirror arrays because such systems cannotcapture the equivalent amount of sunlight as the present inventionunless they are configured to have impractically large reflectors/mirrorarrays.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the reflective elements 102 are positioned around thecooking vessel 106 and cooking stand 108 in an approximately circularfashion. Although the preferred embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIG. 2 has been configured in a manner whereby the reflectiveelements 102 encircle the cooking vessel 106, it is contemplated thatthe reflective elements 102 of alternate embodiments may be positionedin any manner such that a sufficient amount of light is reflected ontothe cooking vessel 106 for the purposes of cooking an object.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of a support member 104 and aremovably attached reflective element 102 of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The reflective elements 102 of the preferredembodiment are concave mirrors such as are commonly sold as a“magnifying mirrors” by many mirror suppliers. The mirrors of thepreferred embodiment are classified as having “3×” or “5×”magnification. The reflective surface of each of the mirrors is circularin shape, having a diameter of approximately fifteen centimeters.However, it should be noted that alternate embodiments of the presentinvention may include reflective elements 102 of any type, including,but not limited to, plane mirrors and other metallic surfaces havingreflective surfaces of any shape or size. Further, while it ispreferable to utilize concave reflective elements 102, it is notessential that the reflective elements 102 are concave. However, the useof non-concave reflective elements may greatly increase the number ofreflective elements necessary to sufficiently heat an object. Moreover,when utilizing concave reflective element 102, the reflective elements102 may be configured so as to have any degree of magnification invarious alternate embodiments of the invention. It is contemplated thatthe system may be configured to include a combination of reflectiveelements having differing degrees of magnification as occurs in thepreferred embodiment. As those with ordinary skill in the art willappreciate, it may be necessary for a user of the system to placereflective elements 102 of differing degrees of magnification, atdiffering distances away from the object to be heated as the focallength varies with respect to magnification.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the reflective element 102 is attached to thesupport member 104 by means of a separable ball 300 and socket 302joint, the ball 300 being connected to the reflective element 102 viathe distal end of a neck 304, the proximal end of the neck 304 beingattached to a non-reflective side of the reflective element 102, and thesocket 302 being integrally attached to the support member 104 on theend most distal to the end inserted into the soil 105. Separable ball300 and socket 304 joints such as that which is present in the preferredembodiment of the present invention, are well known in the art. U.S.Pat. No. 7,296,771 to Kalis et al., entitled “separable Ball and SocketAssembly for Electronic Device Mounts,” which describes such prior artseparable ball and socket joints, is incorporated by reference herein.

It is contemplated that one or more reflective elements 102 may beattached to a single support member 104. A support member 104 adapted tosupport more than one reflective element would be configured formounting a plurality of reflective elements 102 thereon. For example,such a support member 104 would include a plurality of sockets 302and/or a plurality of support arms (not shown) upon which to mountmultiple reflective elements 102.

Although the support members 104 of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention are a cylindrical shaft composed of plastic and havingone sharpened end adapted for insertion into soil, and a second endhaving an integrally attached plastic socket 302, it is contemplatedthat alternate embodiments may include any means for supporting thereflective element 102 and may be composed of any material orcombination of materials.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the support member104 and attached reflective element 102, the reflective element 102 isattached to the end of the support member 104. A portion 400 of thesupport member 104 is flexible, allowing a user to adjust the angle ofthe reflective element 102 with respect to the support member 104 towhich it is mounted. The flexible portion 400 of the support member maybe composed of flexible plastics or metals. The flexible portion shouldallow for adjustment of the angle of the reflective element 102 by auser, yet be rigid enough to maintain the reflective element 102 in theposition in which it is placed by the user. Although the reflectiveelement 102 shown in this alternate embodiment (FIG. 4) is integrallyattached to the support member 104, other alternate embodiments of thereflective element 102 and support member 102 may be removably coupled.For example, the end of the support member 104 to which the reflectiveelement 102 is to be attached may be formed with threads that areconfigured to engage a correspondingly threaded recess in the reflectiveelement 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an alternate embodimentof the present invention having a base structure 500 upon which aplurality of support members 104 and attached reflective elements 102are supported. It may be impractical or undesirable for the presentinvention to be utilized directly upon soil. For example, the presentinvention may be utilized in locations having muddy soil, or on backyardpatios or rocky terrain where it would be difficult or impossible toutilize the preferred embodiment as described above. In such locations,a base structure 500 having a top surface upon which the support members104 may be mounted may be utilized.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that any type of support structure 502,such as a cooking tripod, cooking stand, or other such support means,may be utilized to support the object to be heated. For example, analternate embodiment of the cooking stand 502 is shown in FIG. 5, andincludes a void through which a cooking vessel 106 may penetrate toreceive the focused rays of sunlight 110 reflected from the reflectiveelements 102.

The capability of the present invention to be easily stored andtransported provides an advantage not seen in prior art solar cookingsystems. Because the reflective elements 102 of the preferred embodimentmay be removed from the support members 104, they may be compactlystored and transported along with the support members 104. Large priorart solar cooking systems are unwieldy in comparison and impractical foruse by those who must transport a solar cooking system over largedistances without the use of a motorized vehicle. The present inventionmay be disassembled, compactly stored, and carried by multiple personsas separate parts, thus easing the difficulty with which the system maybe transported.

It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has beendescribed herein a solar cooking system that is easily transportable andis capable of effectively reflecting sunlight that penetrates throughobstructions to adequately heat an object. Although the invention hereofhas been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evidentthat other adaptations and modifications can be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. The terms and expressionsemployed herein have been used as terms of description and not oflimitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, buton the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that maybe employed without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth inthe claims below.

1. A solar cooking system comprising: (a) a plurality of reflectiveelements, each reflective element being attached to a support member;and (b) a means for supporting an object to be heated, wherein saidsupport members are capable of being independently placed adjacent tosaid object and said reflective elements are capable of being positionedso as to reflect light onto said object.
 2. The solar cooking system ofclaim 1 wherein said reflective element is a mirror having a concavereflective surface.
 3. The solar cooking system of claim 1 wherein saidreflective element has a flat reflective surface.
 4. The solar cookingsystem of claim 2 wherein at least one end of each of said supportmembers is adapted for insertion into soil.
 5. The solar cooking systemof claim 4 wherein said support member further comprises a flexibleportion.
 6. The solar cooking system of claim 4 wherein one or morereflective elements is attached to a support member via a separable balland socket joint.
 7. The solar cooking system of claim 6 wherein saidobject is a cooking vessel.
 8. The solar cooking system of claim 7wherein said means for supporting an object to be heated is a tripod. 9.The solar cooking system of claim 7 wherein said means for supporting anobject to be heated is a cooking stand having at least one surface uponwhich to support a cooking vessel, said surface including a void throughwhich said cooking vessel partially extends to expose a portion of saidcooking vessel to light reflected from said reflective elements.
 10. Asolar cooking system comprising: (a) a base structure having a topsurface upon which a plurality of support members are mounted; (b) aplurality of reflective elements, one or more of said reflectiveelements being attached to one of said support members; and (b) a meansfor supporting an object to be heated, wherein said support members arecapable of being independently mounted adjacent to said object and saidreflective elements are capable of being positioned so as to reflectlight onto said object.
 11. The solar cooking system of claim 10 whereinsaid support members are removably mounted on said base structure. 12.The solar cooking system of claim 11 wherein said reflective element isa mirror having a concave reflective surface.
 13. The solar cookingsystem of claim 10 wherein said reflective element has a flat reflectivesurface.
 14. The solar cooking system of claim 12 wherein one or morereflective elements is attached to a support member via a separable balland socket joint.
 15. The solar cooking system of claim 12 wherein saidsupport member further comprises a flexible portion.
 16. The solarcooking system of claim 14 wherein said object is a cooking vessel. 17.The solar cooking system of claim 16 wherein said means for supportingan object to be heated is a tripod.
 18. The solar cooking system ofclaim 16 wherein said means for supporting an object to be heated is acooking stand having at least one surface upon which to support acooking vessel, said surface including a void through which said cookingvessel partially extends to expose a portion of said cooking vessel tolight reflected from said reflective elements.